The pendant was part of the auctioned lots that were sold above the reserve, which included a 5.38-carat rare vivid orange-pink diamond for $US2.67 million ($AU3.73 million) and an 8.74-carat dark grey-blue “internally flawless” diamond ring that sold for $US2.6 million ($AU3.6 million). Sales at the event totaled $US54.97 million ($AU76.75 million).
Colour diamond jewellery dominated the auction in terms of value sold, according to organisers. The auction sold 91 per cent of the ‘Magnificent Jewels’ lots.
One of the most notable highlights of the event was the Art Deco Cartier piece called “A Superlative Eye: Property from a Distinguished Chicago Collection” which comprised of a Graff ruby and diamond ring that sold for $US1.29 million ($AU1.8 million).
The collection also included an Art Deco emerald, sapphire and diamond brooch previously owned by the wife of famed American songwriter Cole Porter that sold for $US381,250 ($AU532,230); and a Cartier Art Deco diamond and gemstone Egyptian revival brooch that was sold for $US268,750 ($AU375,178).
Other notable pieces that broke the million-dollar bid offers were a 17.73-carat Kashmir sapphire ring that sold for $US2.07 million ($AU2.89 million) and a 44.12-carat intense yellow diamond ring for $US1.1 million ($AU1.54 million).
A Van Cleef & Arpels Art Deco diamond bracelet that was featured in a New York Smithsonian Design Museum exhibit also fetched $US1.23 million ($AU1.73 million).
Bidder attention was also drawn to the eight-lot Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery-Set which sold a sapphire and diamond double-flower brooch for $US575,000 ($AU802,708); ruby and diamond bracelet for $US525,000 ($AU732,907); and ruby and diamond pendant-earrings set for $US412,500 ($AU575,855).
Headquartered in New York, USA, Christie’s operates in 46 countries and claims to be the only international auction company authorised to conduct sales in mainland China.
Record-breaking colour diamonds at Christie's
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A rare fancy dark gray-blue diamond ring of 8.74 carats
Price realised: $2,610,000
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An important fancy vivid yellow diamond pendant of 70.19 carats
Price realised: $2,850,000
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A rare fancy vivid orangy pink diamond ring of 5.38 carats
Price realised: $2,670,000 |
Other record-breaking items for auction
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An important Kashmir sapphire ring of 17.73 carats
Price realised: $2,070,000 | A spectacular Bvlgari diamond, emerald and ruby ‘lion mask’ bracelet
Price realised: $525,000 | A sapphire and diamond necklace
Price realised: $400,000 |
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A magnificent cartier art
deco emerald, sapphire and
diamond brooch
Price realised: $381,250 | A fancy blue diamond ring
of 7.00 carats
Price realised: $2,190,000 | An historic late 17th century emerald, diamond and enamel rosary
Price realised: $675,000 |
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An important Graff
ruby and diamond necklace
Price realised: $1,050,000 | An exquisite cartier
art deco multi-gem and diamond Egyptian revival brooch
Price realised: $268,750 | An exceptional Van Cleef & Arpels
art deco diamond bracelet
Price realised: $1,230,000 |
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An impressive pair of diamond rivière necklaces
Price realised: $350,000 | The Rockefeller pearl
a fine Gillot & Co.
antique natural pearl and
diamond pendant
Price realised: $700,000 | An impressive diamond
earrings of 25.78 and 25.62 carats
Price realised: $930,000 |
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A colored diamond, diamond and
emerald ring
Price realised: $1,110,000 | A Van Cleef & Arpels
sapphire and diamond 'mystery-set' double-flower brooch
Price realised: $575,000 | A Van Cleef & Arpels
ruby and diamond necklace
Price realised: $625,000 |
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